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The Devi Upanishad, in which the gods ask the Great Goddess “Who are you?” and she answers: “I am of the nature of Brahman. From me comes this world of matter and spirit.” A profound, majestic hymn to the Goddess as ultimate reality.
Devi Upanishad, attached to the Atharvaveda
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Devi Atharvashirsha
Son of Kali · Power of Durga
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
ॐ सर्वे वै देवा देवीमुपतस्थुः कासि त्वं महादेवीति ॥ १ ॥
Om Sarve Vai Deva Devimupatasthuh Kasi Tvam Mahadeviti
oṃ sarve vai devā devīmupatasthuḥ kāsi tvaṃ mahādevīti
Om. All the gods approached the Goddess and asked: “Great Goddess, who are you?”
साऽब्रवीदहं ब्रह्मस्वरूपिणी । मत्तः प्रकृतिपुरुषात्मकं जगत् ।
Sabravidaham Brahmasvarupini Mattah Prakritipurushatmakam Jagat
sā'bravīdahaṃ brahmasvarūpiṇī mattaḥ prakṛtipuruṣātmakaṃ jagat
She said: I am of the nature of Brahman. From me comes this world of nature and spirit,
शून्यं चाशून्यं च ॥ २ ॥
Shunyam Chashunyam Cha
śūnyaṃ cāśūnyaṃ ca
both the empty and the full.
अहमानन्दानानन्दौ । अहं विज्ञानाविज्ञाने ।
Ahamanandananandau Aham Vijnanavijnane
ahamānandānānandau ahaṃ vijñānāvijñāne
I am bliss and non-bliss; I am knowledge and ignorance;
अहं ब्रह्माब्रह्मणी । द्वे ब्रह्मणी वेदितव्ये ।
Aham Brahmabrahmani Dve Brahmani Veditavye
ahaṃ brahmābrahmaṇī dve brahmaṇī veditavye
I am Brahman and non-Brahman. Both forms of Brahman are to be known —
इति चाथर्वणी श्रुतिः । अहं पञ्चभूतानि ।
Iti Chatharvani Shrutih Aham Panchabhutani
iti cātharvaṇī śrutiḥ ahaṃ pañcabhūtāni
so says the Atharva Veda. I am the five elements;
अहं पञ्चतन्मात्राणि । अहमखिलं जगत् ॥ ३ ॥
Aham Panchatanmatrani Ahamakhilam Jagat
ahaṃ pañcatanmātrāṇi ahamakhilaṃ jagat
I am the five subtle elements; I am the whole universe.
वेदोऽहमवेदोऽहम् । विद्याहमविद्याहम् ।
Vedohamavedoham Vidyahamavidyaham
vedo'hamavedo'ham vidyāhamavidyāham
I am the Veda and what is beyond the Veda; I am knowledge and ignorance;
अजाहमनजाहम् । अधश्चोर्ध्वं च तिर्यक्चाहम् ॥ ४ ॥
Ajahamanajaham Adhashchordhvam Cha Tiryakchaham
ajāhamanajāham adhaścordhvaṃ ca tiryakcāham
I am unborn and born; I am below, above and across.
अहं रुद्रेभिर्वसुभिश्चरामि । अहमादित्यैरुत विश्वदेवैः ।
Aham Rudrebhirvasubhishcharami Ahamadityairuta Vishvadevaih
ahaṃ rudrebhirvasubhiścarāmi ahamādityairuta viśvadevaiḥ
I move with the Rudras and the Vasus, with the Adityas and the Vishvadevas;
अहं मित्रावरुणावुभौ बिभर्मि । अहमिन्द्राग्नी अहमश्विनावुभौ ॥ ५ ॥
Aham Mitravarunavubhau Bibharmi Ahamindragni Ahamashvinavubhau
ahaṃ mitrāvaruṇāvubhau bibharmi ahamindrāgnī ahamaśvināvubhau
I uphold both Mitra and Varuna, Indra and Agni, and both the Ashvins.
अहं सोमं त्वष्टारं पूषणं भगं दधामि ।
Aham Somam Tvashtaram Pushanam Bhagam Dadhami
ahaṃ somaṃ tvaṣṭāraṃ pūṣaṇaṃ bhagaṃ dadhāmi
I uphold Soma, Tvashtri, Pushan and Bhaga;
अहं विष्णुमुरुक्रमं ब्रह्माणमुत प्रजापतिं दधामि ॥ ६ ॥
Aham Vishnumurukramam Brahmanamuta Prajapatim Dadhami
ahaṃ viṣṇumurukramaṃ brahmāṇamuta prajāpatiṃ dadhāmi
I uphold wide-striding Vishnu, Brahma and Prajapati.
अहं दधामि द्रविणं हविष्मते सुप्राव्ये यजमानाय सुन्वते ।
Aham Dadhami Dravinam Havishmate Supravye Yajamanaya Sunvate
ahaṃ dadhāmi draviṇaṃ haviṣmate suprāvye yajamānāya sunvate
I give wealth to the worshipper who offers, who serves well, who presses the soma.
अहं राज्ञी सङ्गमनी वसूनां चिकितुषी प्रथमा यज्ञियानाम् ।
Aham Rajni Sangamani Vasunam Chikitushi Prathama Yajniyanam
ahaṃ rājñī saṅgamanī vasūnāṃ cikituṣī prathamā yajñiyānām
I am the Queen, the gatherer of treasures, the knowing one, first among those worthy of worship.
अहं सुवे पितरमस्य मूर्धन्मम योनिरप्स्वन्तः समुद्रे ।
Aham Suve Pitaramasya Murdhanmama Yonirapsvantah Samudre
ahaṃ suve pitaramasya mūrdhanmama yonirapsvantaḥ samudre
I give birth to the father at the head of this world; my source is in the waters, in the ocean.
य एवं वेद । स दैवीं सम्पदमाप्नोति ॥ ७ ॥
Ya Evam Veda Sa Daivim Sampadamapnoti
ya evaṃ veda sa daivīṃ sampadamāpnoti
Whoever knows this gains divine wealth.
ते देवा अब्रुवन् ।
Te Deva Abruvan
te devā abruvan
The gods said:
नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नमः ।
Namo Devyai Mahadevyai Shivayai Satatam Namah
namo devyai mahādevyai śivāyai satataṃ namaḥ
Salutations to the Goddess, the great Goddess; to the gracious one, salutations always;
नमः प्रकृत्यै भद्रायै नियताः प्रणताः स्म ताम् ॥ ८ ॥
Namah Prakrityai Bhadrayai Niyatah Pranatah Sma Tam
namaḥ prakṛtyai bhadrāyai niyatāḥ praṇatāḥ sma tām
salutations to Nature, to the kind one — we bow to her, steadfast.
तामग्निवर्णां तपसा ज्वलन्तीं वैरोचनीं कर्मफलेषु जुष्टाम् ।
Tamagnivarnam Tapasa Jvalantim Vairochanim Karmaphaleshu Jushtam
tāmagnivarṇāṃ tapasā jvalantīṃ vairocanīṃ karmaphaleṣu juṣṭām
Her who is the colour of fire, blazing with tapas, daughter of the sun, sought for the fruits of action —
दुर्गां देवीं शरणं प्रपद्यामहेऽसुरान्नाशयित्र्यै ते नमः ॥ ९ ॥
Durgam Devim Sharanam Prapadyamahesurannashayitryai Te Namah
durgāṃ devīṃ śaraṇaṃ prapadyāmahe'surānnāśayitryai te namaḥ
Goddess Durga — we take refuge in her. Salutations to you, destroyer of demons.
देवीं वाचमजनयन्त देवास्तां विश्वरूपाः पशवो वदन्ति ।
Devim Vachamajanayanta Devastam Vishvarupah Pashavo Vadanti
devīṃ vācamajanayanta devāstāṃ viśvarūpāḥ paśavo vadanti
The gods brought forth the Goddess of speech; creatures of every form speak her.
सा नो मन्द्रेषमूर्जं दुहाना धेनुर्वागस्मानुप सुष्टुतैतु ॥ १० ॥
Sa No Mandreshamurjam Duhana Dhenurvagasmanupa Sushtutaitu
sā no mandreṣamūrjaṃ duhānā dhenurvāgasmānupa suṣṭutaitu
May she, the cow of speech, giving nourishment and strength, come to us, well praised.
कालरात्रीं ब्रह्मस्तुतां वैष्णवीं स्कन्दमातरम् ।
Kalaratrim Brahmastutam Vaishnavim Skandamataram
kālarātrīṃ brahmastutāṃ vaiṣṇavīṃ skandamātaram
Kalaratri, praised by Brahma, Vaishnavi, mother of Skanda,
सरस्वतीमदितिं दक्षदुहितरं नमामः पावनां शिवाम् ॥ ११ ॥
Sarasvatimaditim Dakshaduhitaram Namamah Pavanam Shivam
sarasvatīmaditiṃ dakṣaduhitaraṃ namāmaḥ pāvanāṃ śivām
Saraswati, Aditi, daughter of Daksha — we bow to the purifying, gracious one.
महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे सर्वशक्त्यै च धीमहि ।
Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Sarvashaktyai Cha Dhimahi
mahālakṣmyai ca vidmahe sarvaśaktyai ca dhīmahi
May we know Mahalakshmi; may we meditate on her who is all power;
तन्नो देवी प्रचोदयात् ॥ १२ ॥
Tanno Devi Prachodayat
tanno devī pracodayāt
may the Goddess inspire us.
अदितिर्ह्यजनिष्ट दक्ष या दुहिता तव ।
Aditirhyajanishta Daksha Ya Duhita Tava
aditirhyajaniṣṭa dakṣa yā duhitā tava
O Daksha, Aditi who is your daughter was born;
तां देवा अन्वजायन्त भद्रा अमृतबन्धवः ॥ १३ ॥
Tam Deva Anvajayanta Bhadra Amritabandhavah
tāṃ devā anvajāyanta bhadrā amṛtabandhavaḥ
after her the gods were born, blessed and kin to immortality.
कामो योनिः कमला वज्रपाणिर्गुहा हसा मातरिश्वाभ्रमिन्द्रः ।
Kamo Yonih Kamala Vajrapanirguha Hasa Matarishvabhramindrah
kāmo yoniḥ kamalā vajrapāṇirguhā hasā mātariśvābhramindraḥ
Kama, Yoni, Kamala, Vajrapani, Guha, Hasa, Matarishva, Abhra, Indra —
पुनर्गुहा सकला मायया च पुरूच्यैषा विश्वमातादिविद्योम् ॥ १४ ॥
Punarguha Sakala Mayaya Cha Puruchyaisha Vishvamatadividyom
punarguhā sakalā māyayā ca purūcyaiṣā viśvamātādividyom
then Guha, Sakala and Maya — this is the ancient knowledge of the Mother of the universe.
एषाऽऽत्मशक्तिः । एषा विश्वमोहिनी । पाशाङ्कुशधनुर्बाणधरा ।
Eshatmashaktih Esha Vishvamohini Pashankushadhanurbanadhara
eṣā''tmaśaktiḥ eṣā viśvamohinī pāśāṅkuśadhanurbāṇadharā
She is the power of the Self; she enchants the world; she holds noose, goad, bow and arrows.
एषा श्रीमहाविद्या । य एवं वेद स शोकं तरति ॥ १५ ॥
Esha Shrimahavidya Ya Evam Veda Sa Shokam Tarati
eṣā śrīmahāvidyā ya evaṃ veda sa śokaṃ tarati
She is the great wisdom, Shri Mahavidya. Whoever knows this crosses beyond sorrow.
नमस्ते।स्तु भगवति मातरस्मान्पाहि सर्वतः ॥ १६ ॥
Namastestu Bhagavati Matarasmanpahi Sarvatah
namastestu bhagavati mātarasmānpāhi sarvataḥ
Salutations to you, blessed Goddess; O Mother, protect us on every side.
सैषा वैष्णव्यष्टौ वसवः । सैषैकादश रुद्राः ।
Saisha Vaishnavyashtau Vasavah Saishaikadasha Rudrah
saiṣā vaiṣṇavyaṣṭau vasavaḥ saiṣaikādaśa rudrāḥ
She is the eight Vasus; she is the eleven Rudras;
सैषा द्वादशादित्याः । सैषा विश्वेदेवाः सोमपा असोमपाश्च ।
Saisha Dvadashadityah Saisha Vishvedevah Somapa Asomapashcha
saiṣā dvādaśādityāḥ saiṣā viśvedevāḥ somapā asomapāśca
she is the twelve Adityas; she is the all-gods, those who drink soma and those who do not;
सैषा यातुधाना असुरा रक्षांसि पिशाचा यक्षा सिद्धाः ।
Saisha Yatudhana Asura Rakshamsi Pishacha Yaksha Siddhah
saiṣā yātudhānā asurā rakṣāṃsi piśācā yakṣā siddhāḥ
she is the sorcerers, demons, rakshasas, ghosts, yakshas and siddhas;
सैषा सत्त्वरजस्तमांसि । सैषा ब्रह्मविष्णुरुद्ररूपिणी ।
Saisha Sattvarajastamamsi Saisha Brahmavishnurudrarupini
saiṣā sattvarajastamāṃsi saiṣā brahmaviṣṇurudrarūpiṇī
she is sattva, rajas and tamas; she is Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra in form;
सैषा प्रजापतीन्द्रमनवः ।
Saisha Prajapatindramanavah
saiṣā prajāpatīndramanavaḥ
she is Prajapati, Indra and the Manus;
सैषा ग्रहनक्षत्रज्योतिःकलाकाष्ठादिविश्वरूपिणी ।
Saisha Grahanakshatrajyotihkalakashthadivishvarupini
saiṣā grahanakṣatrajyotiḥkalākāṣṭhādiviśvarūpiṇī
she is the planets, stars and lights, the moments and measures of time — the universe in form.
तामहं प्रणौमि नित्यम् ।
Tamaham Pranaumi Nityam
tāmahaṃ praṇaumi nityam
To her I bow always.
पापापहारिणीं देवीं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनीम् ।
Papapaharinim Devim Bhuktimuktipradayinim
pāpāpahāriṇīṃ devīṃ bhuktimuktipradāyinīm
The Goddess who removes sin and grants both enjoyment and liberation,
अनन्तां विजयां शुद्धां शरण्यां शिवदां शिवाम् ॥ १७ ॥ शिवाम्
Anantam Vijayam Shuddham Sharanyam Shivadam Shivam Shivam
anantāṃ vijayāṃ śuddhāṃ śaraṇyāṃ śivadāṃ śivām śivām
infinite, victorious, pure, our refuge, giver of good, the auspicious.
The Devi Atharvashirsha, also called the Devi Upanishad, belongs to the Atharvaveda tradition and is traditionally recited before the Durga Saptashati, especially during Navaratri.
It opens with a scene: all the gods approach the Goddess and ask, “Great Goddess, who are you?” Her answer is one of the boldest statements in Hindu scripture. “I am Brahman. From me comes the world of nature and spirit. I am bliss and non-bliss, knowledge and ignorance, the Vedas and what is beyond them, below, above and across. I move with the Rudras and Vasus; I uphold Mitra and Varuna, Indra and Agni; I am the Queen who gathers all treasures.”
The gods then praise her with verses including the Durga hymn from the Durga Suktam and a Mahalakshmi Gayatri. The text explains why she is called “unknowable, infinite, unseen, unborn, one and many,” describes in code the seed mantras Hrim and the nine-syllable Navarna mantra, and ends with the fruits of reciting it. Because the text is long, the page shows the opening first — press “Show the full text” for the rest.
In the Kena Upanishad, the gods do not recognise Brahman until a radiant woman, Uma Haimavati, appears and teaches them. The Devi Upanishad picks up the same thread: here the gods ask the Goddess directly who she is.
Her reply is that she is not one deity among many but the reality behind all of them.
When to chant
How many times
Once; ten recitations are said to bring quick purification.
Sit before an image of the Goddess or a Sri Yantra.
Chant slowly and clearly, as with any Vedic text.
Let the “I am…” statements of the Goddess sink in as statements about reality.
End with Om Shanti.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
brahmasvarūpiṇī
brah-ma-sva-roo-pi-nee.
upatasthuḥ
u-pa-tus-thuh — “approached.”
ajñeyā
ug-nyay-yaa — “the unknowable.”
What is the Devi Atharvashirsha?
A Vedic Upanishad in praise of the Goddess, in which she declares herself to be Brahman, the source of the whole universe.
When is it recited?
Before the Durga Saptashati, during Navaratri, and at dawn and dusk.
What are its benefits?
The closing verses say it gives the merit of five Atharvashirshas, removes wrongs done by day or by night, gives power of speech and helps one cross great difficulties.